As excited as I am to be entering my second full season as Executive Director of the Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall, I'm even more excited about celebrating the hall's 40th Anniversary Season.

The Van Wezel along with the Sarasota, Manatee and nearby communities it serves, have a right to be proud of a long tradition of presenting world-class arts and entertainment on our beautiful bayfront; we're noting that milestone this season with a special concert starring superstar Tony Bennett and a celebration afterwards on Jan. 5, 2010 – 40 years to the day after the hall opened, amid much fanfare with a touring production of Fiddler on the Roof. Other 40th anniversary events are in the works; we'll keep you posted as the season goes on.

Aside from the anniversary, there are many other reasons to celebrate this landmark season. In addition to bringing some perennial favorites (The Beach Boys, Bernadette Peters, Dave Koz, Frankie Valli and Liza Minnelli among them), we're also bringing some first-timers to the hall—Broadway and concert stars such as Chita Rivera, Patti Lupone, Jewel and Boyz II Men, along with pop legend Gladys Knight, whose performance highlights the Van Wezel Foundation's annual gala in February. As well as these big names, we're bringing you a diverse lineup of Broadway hits, like Mamma Mia!, Avenue Q, and Xanadu, to name a few. Plus we're thrilled to present acclaimed dance ensembles the Martha Graham Dance Company, the Joffrey Ballet, The Israel Ballet and classical musicians of sterling reputation, such as Itzhak Perlman and Lang Lang.

As important as what takes place on the stage is what happens offstage, with our education and outreach programs. We continue to positively impact the lives of thousands of area students and their teachers through programs produced in partnership with the Partners in Education Program of the John F. Kennedy Center and the School Board of Sarasota County.

We're very proud of the prestigious grants we've received over the years that indicate how highly thought of these programs are; in times of economic uncertainty and school budget cutbacks, the Van Wezel's work here is ever more important. Without the support of the Van Wezel Foundation, the Education Program would not exist as it does today and students would not be bussed for free without the Foundation. The Foundation's support of the Hall itself and our partnerships are very important to me. The support from the City's staff, commissioners, subscribers, sponsors and our advisory board is immeasurable. I wish you could know how dedicated and hard working our full time staff of 10 is, cut back from 25 people several years ago due to economic reasons, and our part time workers and volunteers are.

We are home to a number of arts organizations including the Sarasota Orchestra, Sarasota Concert Association and Ringling Town Hall; and we continue to serve our audiences with free FridayFest concerts from June to September and with fine dining throughout the year at Michael's at the Van Wezel. Please make a visit to the Van Wezel part of your plans for the 2009-2010 Season. Welcome to all of you, and happy anniversary to us!

Cordially,

Mary Bensel
Executive Director